November 28 Random Observations of The Grand Lake Bum
Grand Lake rolled through another big holiday weekend with larger-than-usual crowds who have obviously figured out that the increasing number of year-round entertainment options have made Grand Lake the perfect spot to spend every holiday. Look for big crowds for all the Christmas and New Year’s events, as well. I’m taking a peek at a LONG list of events around the lake during the upcoming weekend. What a great new era! The Anchor at Shangri-La being open Thanksgiving Day certainly provided some great holiday family options – and Saturday crowds at The Anchor made it obvious that folks have realized that’s the only place they could watch multiple gigantic college games that were being played simultaneously. There’s no doubt about it. Grand Lake is finally the ultimate destination YEAR ROUND!
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It wasn’t just civilians that frequented the lake over the holiday weekend. Saturday’s impromptu air show by a couple of feisty A-10 Warthog fighter jets was an unexpected treat. We have also had a significant amount of lake area training operations by big military helicopters lately. I don’t know if our military forces just decided Grand Lake was a perfect spot for enjoy Nature’s beauty during training operations – or if they have decided this is such an ideal attraction that they want everyone to know it is under thorough protection of our forces. Either way, it’s great fun to watch these guys & gals zipping around the lake in their incredible flying machines.
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I’m glad we had decent weather over the past weekend (at least before the rain rolled in Saturday) – and it looks like we’ll have nice weather for the upcoming weekend, as well. Several of my pals have already started decorating their boats for the Christmas Lights Boat Parade. If you’re not going to be participating or watching on your own boat, you’d better reserve a spot for watching. The parade is set for Saturday, December 10 in Duck Creek.
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There is no doubt that waterfront property prices on Grand Lake continue to increase, but we have a ways to go before topping Florida waterfront – especially Florida homes with DOUBLE waterfront. The buyer was Oracle founder Larry Ellison. The seller was Netscape founder Jim Clark. Admittedly, the house is pretty good size – 62,200 square feet – and the location is good, a barrier island near Palm Beach with 1,200 feet of ocean-front footage and 1,300 feet of intracoastal waterway frontage. But that price!!! $173 million. (That’s a record, BTW, even for Florida!).
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GRAND LAKE BUM SHOUT-OUTS: Happy birthday wishes go out this week to Diane Moll, Larry Callison, Chip Richardville, Ben Gibbs, Greg Knotts, McKayla Rutherford, Dave Faulkner, Katrena Winter, Marty Follis, Steve Zenthoefer, Mike McCurdy, Christa Kelley, Alicia Hampton, Dale Lowe, Judie Clark, Hunter Burkholder, Marshall Brackin, Rita Hitzeman, Gary Brock, and Chris Sexton.
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BEST GRAND LAKE EVENTS THIS WEEK: It’s a busy time for sure as we kick off the month of December on Grand Lake. Thursday is the “Gathering of Creators” at the Grove Public Schools Performing Arts Center (10:00-11:30) sponsored by the Grove Area Creative Alliance, as well as an online fundraising auction for the Boys & Girls Club of Delaware County. Thursday evening is the Vinita Christmas Parade of Lights (6:00). This month’s 1st Friday Wine Share is at St. Andrews Episcopal Church (6:00 p.m.) Friday is also the Christmas Tree Lighting with Santa at Grove City Hall (6:00 p.m.) and the Miami Christmas Tree Lighting at Security Bank on Main (6:00). Friday-Sunday is the incredible Journey to Jesus at Oasis Animal Adventures (3:00-8:00 p.m.). Saturday is a Chili Cookoff & Bake Sale at Worldmark by Wyndham on Monkey Island benefitting Woman’s Auxiliary Association of Monkey Island (1:00-4:00) and a Big 12 Football Championship Game Watch Party at The Anchor at Shangri-La (11:00 a.m.). Saturday evening is the Grand Lake’s Mr. & Miss Merry Christmas Pageant at Grove Middle School Auditorium (6:00 p.m.). Santa’s Ozark Mountain Village at Har-Ber Village is open Saturday; and there is a Living Nativity at Foundation Church (5:30-8:30 p.m.) Saturday and Sunday. Monday is a Blood Drive at Shangri-La Resort Hotel (Roosevelt Ballroom 10:00-3:00). Members who donate will receive a $20 Anchor game card. Next Wednesday, December 7 is the Annual Sagittarian Party at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze featuring Sagittarian Larry Duke as Guest Chef.
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RANDY KREHBIEL’S RANDOM FACTOID OF THE WEEK: The mountain where Moses is said to have received the 10 Commandments, though generally known as Mt. Sinai, had many names in ancient writing, including Har Gebnunim, meaning “the mountain as pure as goat cheese.”
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FUN FACT OF THE WEEK: Jess James once gave a widow who housed him enough money to pay off her debt collector, and then robbed the debt collector as the man left the widow’s home.
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BEST FACEBOOK POST OF THE WEEK: My boss wants me to sign up for a 401K. There’s no way I’m running that far!
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BEST SIGN SEEN THIS WEEK: Without freedom of speech, we would not know who the idiots are.
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BEST TWEET OF THE WEEK: It amazes me how much exercise and extra fries sound alike.
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BEST PUN OF THE WEEK: This morning I saw a fella dragging a clam on a leash behind him. I thought it must be hard to walk with a pulled mussel.
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UNANSWERED QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Why did schools teach us to square dance in the fourth grade?
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OBSERVATION OF THE WEEK: The boat used as the S.S. Minnow in Gilligan’s Island was a 1964 Wheeler with a cruising speed of 12 knots – which means they couldn’t have traveled more than 41.5 miles. Now I’m starting to doubt if the show was even real.
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FEEL-OLD MOMENTS OF THE WEEK: Tennessee Ernie Ford’s smash hit “Sixteen Tons” hit the #1 spot on the music charts during this week – 67 years ago! Heavy Metal music pioneer Ozzy Osbourne (Black Sabbath) turns 74 this weekend.
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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “I don’t want to get to the end of my life and find that I lived just the length of it. I want to have lived the width of it, as well.” – Diane Ackerman
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BEST WEEKEND LIVE ENTERTAINMENT: On Monkey Island, the Thursday night fun is back at Doc’s with an Italian Buffet and Jason Morgan leading the karaoke fun. Eli Mattson performs at Doc’s Bar & Grill Friday night. DJ K-Bandito hosts the late-night fun at Big Saturday at Big Shots Rhythm & Booze; and Saturday is also Rockstar Karaoke night with DJ Chris Kennedy at Monkey Island Pub.
In Grove, there is karaoke fun Thursday night at Grand Lake Casino’s Venue 655, followed by live music by Constant Chaos Friday night, and more karaoke Saturday. The Uncrowned Kings entertain Friday night at Cherokee Casino Grove followed by Repo’d Trailers Saturday night.
Brett ‘N Terri are leading the musical fun Thursday night at Indigo Sky Casino, followed by Three Cord Justice Friday night and Thomas Martinez Saturday. D’Elegantz Band entertains Saturday night at Club 60 West at River Bend Casino. World Fighting Championships headline Saturday night action at the Peoria Showplace at Buffalo Run Casino. Jason Bonham’s JBLZE Led Zeppelin Evening takes the stage Friday night at The Pavilion at Downstream Casino.
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DINING AND DRINKING UPDATE: Blind Swine on Monkey Island will be closed Sunday-Wednesday for the remainder of the year – open Thursday-Saturday 4:00 p.m.-2:00 a.m. Bailey’s Bistro at The Layk Schoolhouse on Monkey Island opens this week. They’re open from 8:00 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday.
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BUM MUST-SEE TV: Dolly Parton’s Mountain Magic Christmas airs Thursday night at 7:00 on NBC and A CMA Country Christmas airs at 8:00 Thursday on ABC. Slow Horses debuts Friday night on Apple TV+. The mini-series George and Tammy premieres Sunday night at 8:00 on Showtime. The 2022 People Choice Awards will air next Tuesday at 8:00 on NBC.
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BUM MUST-SEE MOVIES: Violent Night and The Fabelmans are in movie theaters this week. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules will be available on Disney+ Friday. Scrooge: A Christmas Carol and Lady Chatterley’s Lover are both available Friday on NETFLIX.
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SAVE THE DATE: Moon Soups Chili Cookoff & Christmas Party at Journey Home Décor in Grove (4:00-7:00 p.m.). Friday, December 9 – Gateway to Grand Lake Christmas Parade in Ketchum (6:30). Friday-Saturday, March 9-10 – Last Minute Lakers Merchants’ Open House in Grove and Monkey Island. Saturday, December 10 – 2nd Chance Pet Rescue annual Breakfast & Dessert Auction at the Grove Community Center (9:00 a.m.). Saturday, December 10 – Grove Christmas Lights Parade (6:00). Saturday, December 10 – Grand Lake Christmas Lights Boat Parade from Cherokee Yacht Club (4:00 p.m.). Saturday, December 10 – A Big Band Christmas at The Coleman Theater in Miami (7:00). Sunday, December 11 – “A Monkey Island Christmas Card” musical sing-along with entertainer Terry Jordan in the lobby of Shangri-La Resort Hotel (2:00-5:00 p.m.). Tuesday, December 13 – Grand Lake Newcomers Club Christmas Brunch & Gift Exchange at Grove Christian Center (10:00 a.m.). Friday, December 16 – Christmas Party with Santa and Mrs. Claus at The Anchor at Shangri-La (7:00-10:00 p.m.). Friday, December 16 – Inaugural Christmas Party at The Legacy in Grove (7:00 p.m.). Saturday, December 17 – Santa’s Ozark Mountain Village at Har-Ber Village. Sunday, December 18 – Christmas Brunch with Santa at The Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La (10:00-2:00). Sunday, December 18 - “A Monkey Island Christmas Card” musical sing-along with entertainer Terry Jordan in the lobby of Shangri-La Resort Hotel (2:00-5:00 p.m.).
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It’s Conference Championship Weekend in the college football world. Friday night is the PAC 12 Championship game at 7:00. Saturday games include the Big 12 Championship at 11:00, both the SWAC and SEC Championship games at 3:00, and the ACC and Big 10 Championship games at 7:00.
NFL action begins Tursday night with Buffalo at New England. Sunday games include the N.Y. Jets at Minnesota and Tennessee at Philadelphia (both at noon), Kansas City at Cincinnati at 3:00, and Indianapolis at Dallas at 7:00. Monday Night Football features New Orleans at Tampa Bay.
The NBA season is well underway. Following Wednesday night’s homestand hosting the Spurs, the OKC Thunder hit the road this week. They’ll be in Minnesota Saturdsay (7:00), Atlanta Monday (6:30), and Memphis next Wednesday (7:00. All games are televised on Bally Sports Oklahoma.
FIFA World Cup soccer competition continues with things starting to get really serious. The Round of 16 competition begins this weekend (Saturday-Tuesday).
PGA Players are in the Bahamas this weekend for the Hero World Challenge. Coverage is on The Golf Channel beginning at 12:30 Thursday, 12:00 Friday, and 11:00 Saturday & Sunday mornings.
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The weekend weather looks pretty nice for this time of year. We’ll have partly cloudy skies with high temperatures in the mid-to-upper 50s and lows in the low-to-mid 40s. That’s plenty good to get out and about for some Grand Lake fun. Remember, though, wherever you decide to party, be sure to buy a drink for the guy next to you. It could be me!
GRAND LAKE BUM
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Looking for places to go, things to do, services to use or property to buy in the Grand Lake area? Here’s a starter kit listing of “open to the public” fun places to spend time at Grand Lake
Artichoke Restaurant & Bar in Langley
Balcony Bar at The Shebang (Smoking – open Friday & Saturday nights)
Bella Donna’s at Honey Creek Landing Marina
Big Shots on Monkey Island (Open Friday & Saturday nights)
Blind Swine on Duck Creek at Safe Harbor Harbors View Marina
Blind Swine on Monkey Island
Blue Bluff Café at Blue Bluff Harbor
Buffalo Bar at Shangri-La on Monkey Island
Buffalo Run Casino in Miami (smoking)
Café at Har-Ber Village
Café Yum in Grove
Cafeteria at The Layk Schoolhouse on Monkey Island
Casa Gutierrez in Grove
Cesar’s Place in Vinita
Cesar’s Place in Langley
Changos Locos at Littlefield Corner, Monkey Island
Checkered Past in Grove
Chickanella’s in Grove
Chicken Coop West of Langley
Clanton’s Café in Vinita
Copper Penny Bar in Ketchum
Copper’s Tea and Coffee House in Grove
Cosby’s Catfish on Highway 28 in Eucha (East of Disney)
Cove Club in Langley
Danny’s Dockside Pizza at Honey Creek Landing
Doc’s Bar & Grill at Shangri-La Resort Hotel
Docks Bar at Harbors View Marina
Domino’s in Grove
Downstream Casino in Quapaw (smoking)
Drake’s Restaurant in Grove
Drunken Rooster Bar & Grill
E&H Liquor Store at Littlefield Corner, Monkey Island
Eddy’s Lakeside Bar at Shangri-La Marina (smoking)
Fire Pit at Wildwood Cove Resort in Drowning Creek
Forage in downtown Grove & The Layk Schoolhouse on Monkey Island
Galley at The Anchor, Shangri-La Resort
Goodfella’s Pizza (Cleora and Grove)
Grand Lake Casino, north of Grove on Highway 10 (smoking)
Grand Lake Coffee Company in Grove
Grand Lake Public House in Grove
Grand Lake RV Resort at the back of Duck Creek
Hatfield’s Saloon in Grove
High Winds Casino east of Miami (smoking)
Honey Creek BBQ in Grove (south of Honey Creek bridge)
Indigo Sky Casino west of Seneca, Mo. (smoking)
Juan Montez Restaurant & Cantina at Red Arrow Marina
La Casita de Martin in downtown Grove
Lester’s Third Street Diner in Grove
Lighthouse Supper Club in Ketchum
Los Garcias in Langley
Lupe's Mexican Restaurant in Grove
Matt’s Place in Grove
Monkey Island Pub (Smoking)
Monkey Island RV Resort
Mooney’s Sunset Bar & Grill in Disney (smoking, etc.)
Monkey Grind at Shangri-La Resort Hotel
Monkey Island Trail Rides
Monkey Island Winery
Mulligan’s at Patricia Island Golf Club in Grove
Nu Taste Restaurant in Grove
Pappy’s Bar on Hwy 10 east of Grove
Pickles at the Lake in Langley
Pier 13 Liquor Store in Langley
Pistol Pat’s on Honey Creek in Grove
Pit Stop Café in Grove
Quarterdeck Cafe at Tera Miranda Harbor (smoking on the deck)
Raggedy’s in Grove
Rancho Viejo in Grove
Regatta Restaurant & Bar at Sailboat Bridge, Grove
Riggs & Company in Langley
River Bend Casino in Wyandotte (smoking)
Road Hog Saloon at the entrance to Monkey Island (smoking...but not at lunch)
Royal Liquor Store in Grove
Rusty Anchor (next to the cliffs at Dripping Springs)
Sharky’s at Hammerhead Marina (smoking)
Stuffn’s Restaurant in Ketchum (Smoking on patio)
Sugar Shack at Lee’s Grand Lake Resort
Summit Restaurant at Shangri-La on Monkey Island
The Grill at Indian Hills Resort & Marina in Bernice
The Stables Casino in Miami (smoking)
The Shebang on Monkey Island (smoking on patio and Balcony Bar)
Ugly’s Grill & Bar, Thunder Bay Marina (smoking)
VIP Pizza at Hammerhead Marina (smoking on deck)
Water Side Bar & Grill in Grove
Wolf Creek Diner in Grove
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